Sunday at Quinsigamond Community College, the MassBay Community College Buccaneers (25-5) never trailed. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 10-0 lead on the Knights of Northern Essex (15-11) before the Knights could even get on the board. MassBay won this game going away 81-66. All-American Deshawn Gibbons (Boston, Mass.) led all scorers in the game with 22 points.

It was clear that the Buccaneers were in control of this one from the very beginning. The Knights began to close the gap as the first half was coming to a close. Carlos Guillermo was the hot hand for Northern Essex, scoring ten points in the first half. Four of MassBay’s starters got into the scoring column in the early going but it was the reserves who really impressed. Second year guard Mike Young (Boston, Mass.) led the Buccaneers in scoring in the first half with 10 points. First year swingman Jordan Moors (Wilmington, VT) went 3-3 from three point land. MassBay entered the half with a 42-31 edge on Northern Essex.

MassBay picked up right where they left off in the second half. "Mr. One Thousand" Deshawn Gibbons, shook off a rocky start to pour in 15 second half points. Second year forward Jamal Swanson (Cambridge, Mass.), bothered by first half foul trouble, scored eight of his 10 points in the second half to put the game away. The MassBay defense turned Northern Essex over 16 times in the contest.

MassBay was led by Gibbons with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Young contributed 14 points and five steals. Paul Rose (Boston, Mass.) eight points, five assists, and Jakeen Cobb (Boston, Mass.) nine points, five steals, each made contributions.

Prior to winning the Region XXI Title, MassBay battled a very tough Gateway Community College (CT team in the semi-final round. Gibbons 18 points, eight rebounds), Swanson 18 points, 16 rebounds, carried the load for the Buccaneers. Hot shooting guard Tyrell Mosley (Boston, Mass.) nailed four three-pointers on his way to 15 points. Cobb chipped in 11 points. Young added seven points and five helpers in a winning effort.

MassBay will play next in the NJCAA National Championship games March 12-14, 2009 - SUNY @ Delhi in Delhi, NY 13753.

About MassBay Community College Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) is an open-access, accredited twoyear public educational institution. The College grants associate degreesand certificates in a range of disciplines through its five divisions of academics: the Division of Health Sciences; the Division of Humanities; the Division of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (S.T.E.M.); the Division of Social Sciences & Professional Studies; and the Division of Transportation & Energy. Offering over 60 academic programs, MassBay serves Boston and the MetroWest communities with locations in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland (Automotive Technology Center).